MALALANE – There seemed to be some confusion surrounding the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) payouts, following recent protest action by students from KaMhlushwa FET. They demanded that transport and accommodation funds owed to them be paid out by the college, but according to campus manager, Mr Gidion Sibiya, it does not receive any money from NSFAS. He stated that students completed forms, which were sent to the head office and they then received payment.
NSFAS spokesman Mr Kagisho Mamabolo spoke to Corridor Gazette about the processes being followed to try and clarify the situation.
He stated that the institution was not liable for the payout of accommodation and transport allowance.
“NSFAS has already paid 15 per cent of the Ehlanzeni TVET College’s total allocation in advance to assist management to pay for tuition and allowances for eligible students at the beginning of this year while they prepare claims. This is a standard practice in line with NSFAS and the Department of Higher Education and Training’s policy. NSFAS made advance payments of R7 488 000. The college’s financial aid committee has the responsibility to make determinations for transport and accommodation allowance,” Mamabolo said.
According to him NSFAS does not issue any funds to students and he advised those who had not received their allowance to personally follow up on the matter. “No students receive monies. The process involves the correct completion of NSFAS applications form, signing of the loan-agreement form in accordance with the terms and conditions and the allowances are approved and credited to the student’s account. Those who had been approved for accommodation allowances were paid for February and March this year. If a student has not been credited, there could be some issues relating to their loan-agreement forms or submission of schedule of particulars. Students are encouraged to individually enquire about the status of their accounts as problems may differ from one student to another.”
